There have been over 122 medals and ribbons awarded army veterans since the civil war those sort of numbers explain why col frank foster just published the third and greatly expanded edition of united states army medals badges and insignia the handsomely bound book printed in the united states has been expanded to almost 200 lavishly illustrated pages we pulled out all the stops in the third edition and now illustrate and describe every medal from the revolution to the global war . Badges of the united states army are military decorations issued by the united states department of the army to soldiers who achieve a variety of qualifications and accomplishments while serving on active and reserve duty in the united states army as described in army regulations 670 1 uniforms and insignia badges are categorized into marksmanship combat and special skill identification . This book is filled with handsome color photography and other illustrations is the ultimate united states army awards reference and is sure to become the cornerstone of every veteran and veterans family library this fascinating book also details the way in which the army awards have been intertwined with american culture throughout the last 235 years. Awards and decorations of the united states army are those military awards including decorations which are issued to members of the united states army under the authority of the secretary of the army together with military badges such awards provide an outward display of a service members accomplishments the first recognized medals of the us army appeared during the american civil war and were generally issued by local commanders on an unofficial basis the medal of honor was